SURINAME

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210033-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 5, 2007
• Sequence Number: 33
• Publication Date: June 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

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background
Suriname
Official Name:
Republic of Suriname
United States Department of State June 1982
Bureau of Public Affairs
People
Nationality: Noun-Surinamer(s). Adjec-
tive-Surinamese. Population (1980):
352,041. Annual growth rate (1972-80):
-7.3%. Ethnic groups: Creole 31%, Hin-
dustani (East Indian) 37%, Javanese 15.3%,
Bush Negro 2.6%, Amerindians, Chinese.
Religions: Muslim, Hindu, Roman Catholic,
Protestant, Moravian, Jewish. Languages:
Dutch (official), English, Sranang Tongo
(lingua franca). Education: Compulsory-
ages 6-12. Literacy-80%. Health: Infant
mortality rate-30/1,000. Life expectancy-
66 yrs. Work force (110,000): Agriculture-
29%. Industry and commerce-15%. Govern-
ment- 40%.
Geography
Area: 163,265 sq. km. (63,037 sq. mi.); slight-
ly larger than Georgia. Cities: Capital-
Paramaribo (pop. 150,000). Other cities -
Nieuw Nickerie, Paranam, Moengo. Terrain:
Varies from savanna to hills. Climate:
Tropical.
Government
Type: Military-civilian executive. Constitu-
tion: Suspended. Independence: Novem-
ber 25, 1975.
Branches: Executive-military-civilian
Policy Center rules by decree. Legislative-
suspended. Judicial-Court of Justice with
no power to review government decrees.
Administrative subdivisions: 9 districts.
Political parties: Banned. No elections
scheduled. Suffrage: None.
Central government expenditures (1981
est.): $413 million.
Flag: Green, white, red, white, green
horizontal stripes with yellow star in the mid-
dle of the red bar.
Economy
GNP (1981 est.): $924 million. Annual
nominal growth rate (1981 est.): 7.9%. Per
capita income: $2,600. Avg. inflation rate
last 3 yrs.: 7.2%.
Natural resources: Bauxite, iron ore, and
other minerals; forests; hydroelectric poten-
tial; fish and shrimp.
Agriculture: Products-Rice, sugar cane,
bananas, beans, citrus fruits. Arable land-2
million hectares. Cultivated land-80,000 hec-
tares.
Industries: Aluminum, alumina, proc-
essed food, lumber, bricks, cigarettes.
Trade (1980): Exports-$514 million:
bauxite, alumina, aluminum, wood and wood
products, rice, sugar. Major markets-US,
Netherlands, EC, and other European coun-
tries. Imports-$504 million: capital equip-
ment, petroleum, iron and steel products,
agricultural products. Major suppliers-US,
Netherlands, EC, Caribbean countries.
Official exchange rate (Jan. 1982): 1
Suriname guilder (S.F1)=US$0.56.
Fiscal year: Calendar year.
Membership in international organ-
izations: UN and affiliated agencies (WHO,
ILO, FAO, UNESCO, UNCTAD, World
Bank, IMF); Organization of American States
(OAS); Economic Commission for Latin
America (ECLA); International Bauxite
Association; associated with EC through
Lome Convention; Inter-American Develop-
ment Bank (IDB); International Finance Cor-
poration (IFC).
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uriname
Bound.ry ,w,n.nlalwn ~.
n t n.o.....ly .umontah+.
N.I!On.I c.V!t.l t Inl.rn.tlon.l #., ,l
According to prior data, however,
the major ethnic groups are Hindustani
(37%B), Creole (31%), Javanese (15.3%),
Bush Negro (2.6%), Amerindians,
Chinese, and Europeans. The Creoles
and Bush Negroes are descendants of
African slaves. The Hindustanis,
Javanese, and Chinese are descendants
of contract agricultural laborers brought
to Suriname between 1870 and 1930.
The Amerindians were originally from
the Arawak and Carib tribes.
Located on the north-central coast of
South America, Suriname is bordered by
Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil. The
country can be divided into three zones:
? The northernmost zone is at sea
level, where diking is necessary to save
the land. The country's agriculture is
concentrated in this area at the mouths
of the Suriname, Saramacca, Cop-
pename, and Nickerie Rivers.
? The central zone, a belt about
48-64 kilometers (30-40 mi.) deep, is
forested and broken intermittently by
scattered savannas. The government's
agricultural experiments there have met
with limited success because the soil is
primarily of quartz and loam.
? The southern zone is hilly, rising
gradually to an elevation of about 1,255
meters (4,120 ft.) above sea level in the
Wilhelmina Mountains. This area makes
up about 75% of the country, but little is
known about it because the thick jungle
terrain makes transportation difficult.
Suriname's climate is tropical, with
an average annual rainfall at Paramari-
bo of 320 centimeters (90 in.). Tempera-
tures are high throughout the year-
21?C-32?C (70?7-90?F)-with little
seasonal change except for short dry
seasons between the two periods of
heavy rainfall. Suriname lies outside the
hurricane zone, escaping serious wind
damage.
Christopher Columbus sighted the coast
of the area formerly known as Guiana in
1498, but the area was unattractive to
later Spanish and Portuguese explorers
because of the lack of gold. The first
successful settlement was established in
1651 by British Lord Willoughby. He
welcomed people from unsuccessful
West Indian and other South American
colonies who brought capital and skills
to the new settlement. Notable among
these were Jews from Brazil, who, in
1665, erected the first synagogue in the
Western Hemisphere. The colony pros-
pered on a plantation economy-cocoa,
coffee, sugar, and cotton-based on
slave labor from Africa.
By terms of the Treaty of Breda
(1667), the Netherlands acquired
Suriname from Great Britain in ex-
change for Dutch rights in Nieuw
Amsterdam (Manhattan, New York).
The 18th and early 19th centuries saw
Suriname in economic and political tur-
moil stemming from Indian and slave
'lost Surinamers reside in the narrow,
iorthern coastal plain. The population is
me of the most ethnically varied in the
vorld, but Surinamers live together
)eacefully, each ethnic group preserving
nuch of its own culture. Before the
ebruary 25, 1980 coup, political parties
O based mainly along ethnic lines.
goal of the military leaders is
_ted
sh the importance of ethnic
and to foster the growth of a
iew national unity. For this reason, cur-
?ent statistics on ethnic groups are not
Lvailable.
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sings and Dutch preoccupation with
East Indian territories. Also during
this period, as a result of wars and
treaties, sovereignty of the country was
transferred among England, France,
and the Netherlands. The Netherlands
finally regained control of Suriname
under the Vienna treaty in 1815. When
slavery was abolished in 1863,
Suriname, facing a labor shortage,
brought contract workers from China,
India, and Java.
In 1952, an amendment to the Dutch
constitution stipulated that relations be-
tween the Netherlands Antilles should
be laid down in a charter and should be
recognized as constitutional law. With
the signing of the charter on Decem-
ber 15, 1954, the reconstruction of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands was com-
pleted, making Suriname an autonomous
part of the Kingdom and granting it
equality with the Netherlands and the
Netherlands Antilles. This relationship
continued until Suriname's independence
on November 25, 1975.
The newly independent nation func-
tioned as a parliamentary democracy un-
til February 25, 1980, when a military
oup overthrew the government. New
misters were named by the military
nd d were granted permission by the Par-
liament to rule by decree. On August 3,
h
1980, the Parliament was dissolved and
the constitution suspended. A six-
member Policy Center-three civilians
and three military-was established to
rule the country by decree. The military
appointed a civilian president who also
headed the Policy Center. In February
1982, the military forced the president's
resignation. A new government was ap-
pointed in March 1982 with a civilian
prime minister. The supreme executive
body remained the Policy Center, this
time headed by Army Commander Lt.
Col. Desire Bouterse.
are appointed for life by the president.
A special "Corruption Court" also has
been established to deal with all cases of
corruption under the previous govern-
ment. It will be disbanded when all such
matters are concluded to the satisfaction
of the government.
Suriname is divided into nine dis.
tricts, each administered by a govern-
ment-appointed commissioner.
Principal Government Officials
President-Mr. L.F. Ramdat-Misier
Policy Center Members-Army Com-
mander Lt. Col. Desire Bouterse,
Chairman; Garrison Commander
Maj. Roy Horb, Vice Chairman;
Prime Minister Henri Neijhorst;
Foreign Minister Harvey Naaren-
dorp
Secretary of the Policy Center-Ramon
Cruden
Council of Ministers
Prime Minister;.General Affairs; Fi-
nance - Henri Neijhorst
Foreign Affairs-Harvey Naarendorp
Natural Resources, Energy, and Devel-
opment-Erik Tjon Kie Sim
Transportation, Trade, and Industry-
Imro Fong Poen
Education and Science-Harold Rusland
Public Works, Telecommunications, and
Construction -Mohamed Attaoellah
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and
Fisheries -Jan Sariman
Labor and Social Affairs-Glenn
Sankatsingh
Internal Affairs and Justice-Frank
Leeflang
Health and Environment- Badrisein
Sital
Culture, Youth, Sport, People's Mo-
bilization, and Information-Lt. J.
Hardjoprajitno
Army and Police-Capt. Iwan
Graanoogst
Ambassador to the United States-
GOVERNMENT
Suriname is governed by a Policy
Center, headed by the army commander,
with civilian members. The Policy
Center rules by decree. Its directives are
lemented by 12 ministries, with
i
mp
ministers appointed by military leaders.
The Council of Ministers, headed by a
prime minister, is responsible for devel-
osals for consideration by the
ro
i
p
ng p
op
.Center. The prime minister is also
Policy
a member of the Policy Center. The role
of the country's president is ceremonial.
Broadcast media are government
controlled. Newspapers are privately
owned.
The highest judicial body is the
Court of Justice, the members of which
Henricus Heidweiller
Ambassador to the United Nations-
Inderdew Sewrajsing
Suriname maintains an embassy in
the United States at 2600 Virginia
Avenue NW., Suite 711, Washington,
D.C. 20037 (tel. [phone]).
READING LIST
These titles are provided as a general indica-
tion of material published on this country.
The Department of State does not endorse
unofficial publications.
Bruyning, C.F.A. and Lou Lichtveld. Suri-
nam-A New Nation in South America.
Paramaribo: Radhakishun, 1959.
Mitchell, Sir Harold. Europe in the Carib-
bean. London: Chambers, 1963.
Naipaul, V.S. The Middle Passage-The Car-
ibbean Revisited. New York: Macmillan,
1963.
Price, Richard, ed. Maroon Societies. New
York: Anchor Press, 1973.
Van Poll, Willem. Surinam. The Hague: Van
Hoeve, 1959.
More information can be obtained from the
Suriname Tourist Bureau, Rockefeller Plaza,
New York, N.Y. 10020.
1980 coup, and dates for elections have
not been set. The traditional, moderate,
Western orientation of the Surinamese
Government, which persisted even after
the 1980 revolution, shifted significantly
in 1981, when the military leadership an-
nounced the adoption of Socialist prin-
ciples. Nevertheless, policies have
tended to be pragmatic and nondoc-
trinaire.
DEFENSE
The Surinamese National Army consists
of about 1,500 personnel divided into ar-
my, navy/coast guard, and air force com-
ponents. The ground forces are organ-
ized to perform internal security duties
and civic action functions. Their mission
is to safeguard, protect, and uphold the
values of the February 1980 revolution;
to protect the country against aggres-
in-
sion; to assist with developing augment and assist
frastructure; and to athe local police force during fires, dis-
turbances, and demonstrations.
A newly activated air division is tak-
ing delivery of a few Britten-Norman
Defender planes. The army is equipped
with light infantry weapons and ar-
mored cars; the coast guard bhassthree
modern ocean-going patrol
The Netherlands no longer has a
military mission in Suriname. Instead, a
defense attache performs some of the
military assistance functions.
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Political parties are banned. Although
the constitution was suspended on
August 13, 1980, the government has
appointed a commission to draft a new
constitution and has pledged an eventual
return to constitutional rule. There have
been no elections since the February 25,
ECONOMY
Suriname's bauxite deposits are believed
to be among the world's richest. Mining,
processing, and exporting bauxite,
alumina, and aluminum are the backbone
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and clothing-Paramaribo and the
The government also has negotiated
agreements with the bauxite producers,
SURALCO and Billiton, significantly in-
creasing company payments to the state
through a bauxite levy. The agreement
is up for review in 1982.
Development plans, aside from in-
frastructural improvements, center on
the expansion of bauxite mining and
processing, agriculture, and export-
oriented and import-substitution in-
dustry.
The principal ocean port is
Paramaribo. With 4,580 kilometers
(2,850 mi.) of waterways throughout the
country, transportation is primarily by
boat. Roads total about 2,400 kilometers
(1,500 mi.), about 480 kilometers (300
mi.) of which are paved. Except for the
mining and industrial lines, Suriname
has only 80 kilometers (50 mi.) of
operating railroads. Paramaribo is
regularly served by Royal Dutch Airlines
(KLM), Suriname Airways (SLM), An-
tillian Airlines (ALM), Guyana Airways,
and Cruzeiro do Sol.
The Government of Suriname is re-
viewing its foreign investment policy.
Since the February 1980 coup and sub-
sequent changes of government, national
policy has emphasized a mixed economy
with increasing state participation in in-
dustrial and agricultural enterprises.
Relations with Western Europe and the
United States remain strong, however,
and the major source of foreign aid will
probably continue to be the Netherlands.
Suriname's announced foreign policy is
to expand diplomatic ties with all coun-
tries, particularly with those in the
Nonaligned Movement and the Carib-
bean region.
Suriname has longstanding but cur-
rently dormant border disputes with its
eastern and western neighbors, French
Guiana and Guyana.
ittoral are hot and humid all year.
,ightweight, wash-and-wear clothing is
recommended.
Customs-A visa is not required, but a valid
passport or proof of US citizenship is.
Tourists may be asked to show onward
tickets, necessary travel documents, or suffi-
cient funds for their stay.
Health-Medical services are adequate for
most purposes. Most essential medicines are
available locally. Malaria and other tropical
diseases are endemic but occur more fre-
quently outside the capital. Paramaribo's tap-
water is potable.
Telecommunications-Domestic and interna-
tional telephone and telegraph connections
are good. Paramaribo is 11/2 hours ahead of
eastern standard time.
Transportation-Overland travel is re-
stricted because there are few roads and
bridges, and large parts of the country out-
side the littoral are accessible only by light
plane and canoe. Several flights a week con-
nect Paramaribo with other Caribbean and
Latin American centers. There are two week-
ly flights to Amsterdam. Paramaribo has bus
and taxi services.
of the economy. Sites of the two major
bauxite deposits-Moengo and Paranam
-are accessible to navigable rivers that
empty into the Atlantic. The Suriname
Aluminum Company (SURALCO), a sub-
sidiary of the Aluminum Company of
America (Alcoa), and the Royal Dutch
Shell-owned Billiton Company produce
and export the bauxite ore, primarily to
the United States and Canada. Alcoa
has built a $150 million dam for the pro-
duction of hydroelectric energy at
Afobaka (south of Brokopondo), which
created a 1,550-square-kilometer (600 sq.
mi.) lake, one of the largest artificial
lakes in the world.
Suriname is an exporter of its major
staple food crop, rice, and also exports
products such as shrimp and timber. It
produces more than enough bananas,
coconuts, and citrus fruits for domestic
consumption. Flour, dairy products,
meat, and vegetables must be imported.
At independence, Suriname signed
an agreement with the Netherlands pro-
viding for about $1.5 billion in develop-
ment assistance grants and loans over a
15-year period. Development
tans in the form of loans and
is is provided also by the European
ommunity (EC) Development Fund.
The United Nations furnishes some
technical assistance.
Foreign participation in development of
natural resources has been accepted on
a contract joint venture basis.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Since independence, Suriname has
joined the United Nations, the Organiza-
tion of American States (OAS), and the
Nonaligned Movement. Discussions are
being held concerning membership in the
Caribbean Community and Common
Market (CARICOM). Suriname is
associated with the European Communi-
ty through the Lome Convention and is
a charter member of the International
Bauxite Association. Embassies have
been established in the Netherlands, the
United States, Venezuela, Guyana,
Brazil, and in Belgium, where the em-
bassy is also accredited to the European
Community. Diplomatic relations are
also maintained with many other na-
tions.
The government has sought to
develop closer relations with other
"revolutionary Socialist states" in the
region, such as Cuba, Grenada, and
Nicaragua. Cuba maintains a mission in
Suriname, and it has been announced
that a Soviet Embassy will open soon.
U.S.-SURINAMESE RELATIONS
The United States has had traditionally
friendly official and commercial relations
with Suriname, which have existed since
1790, when a consulate was opened in
the Dutch colony. The United States is
Suriname's largest trading partner, pro-
viding 30% of Suriname's imports and
taking 41% of its exports. Through each
country's embassy, as well as in interna-
tional fora, the United States and
Suriname carry out a regular dialogue
on bilateral and multilateral issues.
Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador Designate-Robert W.
Duemling
Charge d'Affaires - Richard
LaRoche
Chief, Economic Section-Jack P.
Gatewood
Chief, Commercial and Consular Sec-
tions-Cornelius M. Keur
Chief, Political Section-Arnold H.
Campbell
Chief, Administrative Section-Martha
L. Campbell
Public Information Officer-Edward
Donovan
The U.S. Embassy in Suriname is
located at Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat
129, P.O. Box 1821 (tel. 72900,
76507). ^
Published by the United States Department
of State ? Bureau of Public Affairs ? Office
of Public Communication ? Editorial Divi-
sion ? Washington, D.C. ? June 1982
Editor: Joanne Reppert Reams
Department of State Publication 8268
Background Notes Series ? This rmateru
in the public domain and may reproduced
without permission; citation of this source
would be appreciated.
For sale by the Superintendent of Docu-
ments, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402 ? Subscription
price: $18.00 per year; $22.50 for foreign
mailing.
U.S. Government Printing office : 1982 -361-410/167
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